money into two parts,
replaced one in the vase, and pocketed the other.

I was very indignant at the cool impudence with which this was done, and
my patience had well nigh forsaken me: however, I restrained myself;
and I was happy enough that I could so far conquer myself. My reproaches
would not have induced comte Jean to give me back my money, and would
only have roused his violence; which, when once excited, found vent in
language so vehement and energetic, that I did not desire to hear any
more of it than I could help. At these moments he selected not the
politest expressions, but those which were the strongest: and besides,
such was the ungovernable nature of comte Jean's temper, that
once roused, he would have treated the king himself with as little
consideration as he did me. Still, he never deliberately insulted me,
nor did he compose those insulting verses respecting me, which were
printed as his, in "_Les Anecdotes sur Madame du Barry_." This would
have been an indignity I would quickly have caused him to repent having
offered.

"Well," inquired I, "are you very glad to see your brother in Paris?"

"No, 'pon my soul!" returned he; "but since he is here, we must do the
best we can with him; he was very anxious to see his sister-in-law
and niece. He says the former is ugly as sin, and the latter almost as
handsome as you."

"Very gallant," replied I; "but tell me, comte Jean, does this elegant
compliment proceed from my husband or yourself?"

We were just then interrupted by the arrival of the marechale, and comte
Jean retired.

"Well, my dear," she began, "have you seen M. de Sartines, and did you
speak to him respecting those 100,000 livres?"

"Oh, yes," replied I, "he gave them back to me; but I have
already had half of them stolen from me."

"By comte Jean, I'll engage," cried she. "Upon my word, that man is a
perfect spendthrift, a prodigal; who, if you do not take great care,
will certainly ruin you. And what will you do with the remaining 50,000
livres, my dear friend; where will you place them?"

"In your hands, my dear marechale; 'tis his majesty's command."

"To that command," answered she, "I must perforce submit"; and, taking
the bundle of notes, she continued, "Assure his majesty that it will
ever be my greatest pride and pleasure to obey his slightest wish. My
respect for his orders can only be equalled by my tender friendship for
her who is the bearer of the royal mandate." Then, del